Abruzzo Virtual Tour: On the Trail of Medieval Monasteries and Mountain Towns

Discover the fascinating culture and timeless rhythms of the spectacular Abruzzese Penines on our virtual tour!

Abruzzo Virtual Tour: On the Trail of Medieval Monasteries and Mountain Towns

duration 1.5 hours

Tour Overview

“Forte e gentile,” strong and kind – this is the age-old description of the inhabitants of the far-flung region of Abruzzo, one of the few places in Italy that is still little known to visitors from beyond the peninsula. From the highest peak in the Apennine mountains, down unspoiled hills to the soft sands of the Adriatic shore far below, Abruzzo has a unique culture and identity all its own. Traditional ways of life live on here, far from the cares of the modern world. On our evocative virtual tour we’ll be following the age-old and weathered paths of the local shepherds as they herd their sheep in the seasonal migration known as the transumanza, the backbone of Abruzzo’s economy for more than 3,000 years. Join Thomas on this fascinating journey to learn about life on the trail, visiting still-thriving medieval monasteries, spectacular mountain towns and much more along the way. We’ll end our time together in Chieti, the cultural capital of the region since before the rise of Rome, and sample some of the delights on offer in this determined and resilient town in the heart of provincial Italy. Book your place on our Abruzzo virtual tour today to discover one of the true unspoiled corners of Italy!

If the day of the week or start time of this group tour doesn't work for you, please email us at office@througheternity.com to arrange a suitable alternative date.

Tour includes:

  • Live broadcast from Italy
  • Immersive webinar with expert guide Thomas
  • Have your questions answered

Highlights:

  • Discover the spectacular Abruzzo region
  • Follow the ancient paths of the shepherds
  • Explore medieval monasteries
  • Visit mountain villages

Tour Description

Meet your Guide: Thomas

Hi, I’m Thomas. A native of Florida, I studied History in the United States and France, Art History in France and Italy, and Archaeology in Italy. I am one of four brothers, one of many Tolkien fans, and one of very few native English-speaking licensed tour guides in Rome, where I have lived and worked with Through Eternity Tours since 2006. My particular interests are medieval history, Baroque painting, pork products, tasty cakes, and full-figured red wines. I speak English, French, Italian, a smattering of Spanish, and a few German swear words.

What Exactly is a Through Eternity Virtual Tour?  

The world of travel might be on hold right now, but just because we're all staying at home to help the world overcome a common enemy doesn't mean we have to put our wanderlust on the back burner. Frustrated with not being able to get our travel fix, we decided to transform our award-winning tours into immersive virtual experiences, meaning you can still explore Italy’s spectacular archaeological sites and jaw-dropping museums from the comfort of your own home. 

* Please note that the booking times are in US Eastern Standard Time and Rome, Italy CET is 6 hours ahead * 

Fun and informative, our virtual tours take the form of online real-time presentations led by our expert guides. Combining videos, high-definition photos and more, our guides will be sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with you on these interactive walkthroughs of Italy’s most fascinating sites. The live format of our virtual tours means you’ll be able to ask your guide anything you wish, just like on a normal tour. We really believe it's the next best thing to being here!

As a sign of our gratitude to those who are on the front line fighting the Coronavirus, we would be more than happy to invite all first respondershealth workers and NHS workers to join our Virtual Tours for free. Please message our office staff directly!

Please note that the proceeds from our online tours go directly to our guides, providing them with a valuable lifeline in these tough times for the world of travel. Thank you for your support! 

 

Tour Reviews

4.9 (13 reviews)

My friends and I took the virtual tour of Abruzzo given by Thomas. This was a special tour as Thomas shared his personal attachment to the region. I suspect none of us really had Abruzzo on our radar until we saw Thomas's pictures and listened to his history of the region. Amazingly, he supplied a key piece of European economic history for me when he showed the major sheep migration routes through the area and built the story of life in Abruzzo around these trails. The scenery is stunning, as are the pictures of festivals, eating and lodging sites and art--so even if the idea of sheep migration does not interest you, you will enjoy the views. However, how these trails relate to centuries of wool trade and European politics is fascinating, as is the influence of the monasteries. The history provided will inform your travels through Italy and the rest of Europe.

Carol - Aug 13, 2021

Thomas was so friendly and knowledgeable! We all loved his tour of Abruzzo. Thank you!

Valerie - Mar 28, 2021

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